I cant believe how this year has flown by! Life gets busy. There are errands to run, kids to take care of, and work to be done. Its easy to get overwhelmed, leading to anxiety and fatigue. So, I wanted to share five tips that have helped me to decompress when life gets crazy.

Laugh. Find the small things that bring you great joy. My daughter and I love to do Snapchat together, a free mobile app that has all kinds of silly filters. One minute were cute little kitty cats, perhaps a unicorn, then little old ladies with thick glasses. And we will laugh until we cant breath because we don’t take ourselves seriously. You must allow yourself to have fun.

Know your limits. You cant be everything to everyone. It’s okay to say no. When you don’t have good boundaries, people will take advantage of you and that is just exhausting.

Find a quite space, whether it be in the early morning before the sun wakes up, or a walk in the evening after dinner. Make this a habit and carve out the same time each day. You can read the bible, the newspaper, journal, or just listen to the birds singing their sweet songs. Some people find that walking their dogs is a great stress reliever. There is nothing like being in the company of an adorable puppy.

Volunteer. Find a way to serve. When you help others, you ultimately help yourself. I have been blessed to serve everyday through hospice and it fills my heart with overwhelming love to bring dignity and comfort to the dying. And we are always looking for hospice volunteers. In fact, every hospice across the nation is required by Medicare to have volunteers. So, contact your local hospice and let them know you would like to help or I would be happy to connect you. If visiting patients feels like it might be too much, you can become an administrative volunteer or a bereavement volunteer, helping those who have recently lost a loved one. There are also many expanded services such as art therapy, pet therapy, massage therapy, or even fundraising events.

Celebrate. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I love a good party. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Sometimes it’s as simple as a victory dance in my office when I am able to help make a hospice patient’s dream come true. Sometimes it’s an actual win. I will never forget the time when I was in Vegas and hit the jackpot on Wheel of Fortune. I was squealing with excitement. People were coming up to me and asking how much I won. They seemed disappointed when I told them $152.00! Their reaction didn’t matter because it was my moment of joy and I wasn’t going to let them take it. There is nothing wrong with the penny slots. Always celebrate small wins. They happen more often and they make life awesome.

9 years ago this month, I had my second stroke. My how far I have come….

Relearning how to speak, eat, drink, go to the bathroom and all the other activities of daily living, makes you really appreciate the small things. And although I am still disabled, today I am thriving.

There was never any doubt in my mind that I would be an adoptive parent.

Diagnosed with a lesion in my brain at the age of 11, I have endured radiation treatments, surgeries, and suffered two devastating strokes resulting in permanent disability. Although the tumor was obliterated in 2008, and medically the doctors say I could indeed have my own children, the desire of my heart has always been adoption.

For years, God had been preparing me to raise a child that grew in my heart, not in my tummy. So when it came time for us to actually start a family, my husband and I began our homework. (more…)

More than anything, I love productivity! I love making lists and crossing things off. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, like I’m moving toward something. Progress. I love progress.

Yes, it’s important to have periods of rest. But to have the wind on your back, to see new places, to do new things! It is such a glorious feeling. No wonder Dr. Seuss’s book, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” has become so popular! It’s the perfect gift to give to anyone of any age who is embarking on a new journey. Because that’s what life is. It’s a journey. An amazing and powerful journey.

You are enough. You are exactly where you are meant to be at this point in time. Never give up on the dreams that God has put on your heart. Do not be discouraged by failure, for failure is often the foundation of your success.

Here are some of the fundamental ways failure shapes us.

Failure is a universal phenomenon. We have all failed. Maybe it was a test you took in school. Perhaps it was a project at work or a business deal that went bad. Maybe it was a relationship, or a marriage that you just couldn’t save. During these moments, it’s difficult to think about the next steps. Know that you are not alone.